WARNING: This story contains female submission, a Daddy Dom/babygirl relationship, hot oral sex scenes, and the beginning of an erotic BDSM lifestyle. This is intended for mature (18+) audiences only.

Lola’s top priority in life has always been her tattoo parlor, Skin Deep and for years all she has wanted was for it to succeed. But when two of her employees decide to venture to bigger cities for a change of pace she is devastated and finding replacements proves to be both difficult and stressful. When she does hire River Hawthorne she knows that there is something different about him and whatever it is, she finds it attractive. What she doesn’t know is what River is about to do to her…Or just how much time she’ll spend on her knees for him.

She takes a moment to think about it and finally nods. She follows me from her office to the break room. I can tell that she’s been thinking. If she’s anything like me, she’s thinking about last night. Only I’m willing to bet she’s wondering what she did wrong, why she did what she did, and what she is going to do now. I want to tell her that she didn’t do anything wrong. But to feed her the cliché line of “it’s not you, it’s me” seems like a whole lot of bullshit at this point. I could easily man up and just tell her…but then I risk not only being fired but losing her altogether. Makes me hate being so fucked up. She looks at me with sad eyes as she has a seat at the table.

I pull out a chair across from her and begin sitting our food and drinks on the table. I look up at her with my eyes and catch her staring. She quickly looks away and purses her lips. It doesn’t seem to be sitting well with her either. I’m reducing her to nothing more than a fucking one night stand. What a dick move. I open a straw and place it in one of the thirty-two ounce cups and push it over to her. “Have a drink.”

Her cheeks fill with color and she takes the cup, bringing the straw to her lips. She has a quick sip and looks away from me and down to her right. She can barely look at me. Not like I can blame her. She presses her lips around the straw for a moment and I catch her eyes again. She hurries to look away as she sets the cup on the table. I start pulling her food from the bag. A bacon cheeseburger and a large order of fries from Pepper’s Bar and Grill just down the street. “Hungry?”

She finally looks at me and gives me a little nod. “Starved, actually.”

“Then you shouldn’t have told me that you didn’t want anything,” I say. “You have to eat.” I begin unwrapping her burger and place it front of her. She looks up at me confused as I sit down and grab my own burger and fries.

“I’m just trying to keep the shop running,” she explains. “I have to work your schedules around all the appointments you have all while making sure someone can be out front in case we have walk-ins.”

“Understandable, but you can’t just not eat. It's not good for you.” I say, diverting my attention to my burger. I look up slightly and see that she is chewing quietly but seems to refuse to look at me as she reaches for her cup and has a drink of pop.

“Sometimes I just forget.”

“Well,” I start, “you shouldn’t. It’s not healthy.”

She gives me a silent nod as she still looks to my left.

“Something interesting over there?” I ask, wiping my mouth with a napkin.

Her mouth drops and her eyes move to meet mine. “I’m sorry…I just…” Her voice trails and she looks up at me with the saddest blue eyes I've ever seen in my life.

“Lola, this doesn’t have to be awkward,” I tell her. “Things happened really fast last night. I never wanted to make things like this…I just…see I have this thing…” I stop my words and watch as her mouth drops.

“Oh, my fucking God.” Her blue eyes go from sad to angry quickly as she pushes her food away.

I shake my head. “No, that’s not what I meant, see, I just…there’s this thing about me.” Out with it, dude. Tell her. Tell her now. Tell her what you are. I look down at her burger that has no more than two bites taken out. “You should eat some more. Two bites will not help you. I know it’s not exactly healthy, but it’s something.”

“Do you have a fucking girlfriend?” She snaps in a loud whisper, leaning across the table.

I shake my head furiously. “No! I wouldn’t do that!”

“Some disease?”

This one just makes me laugh as I sit back and shake my head. I lean back in my chair and shake my head. “No, I don’t have some STD that I didn’t tell you about.”

“Then what?! Just tell me?! What thing do you have?!” She looks directly into my eyes. She’s worried, she’s scared, and she’s a mess. I can see that all in her eyes. She pouts slightly and gets up. “It was fun…really, it was great. I hope you like your job here.”

She pouts again, this time crossing her arms and nodding as she starts to walk away.

“Lola, sit down, now,” I command her.

She turns to look at me, shocked at my order. Her mouth drops and her arms slowly fall to her sides.

“Sit down and eat, now.” I order.

She reaches for the chair and pulls it out slowly. She looks at me, pouts, and finally has a seat, taking a bite of her burger. I look away and smirk slightly. All I can think to myself is good girl.

Trista Jaszczak (jazz-ick) is the author of the Believe series (reinterpreted fairy tales), and upcoming relaunches, Loverboy, What Lies Inside and the Darkness Falls series. She is an Air Force spouse and mother to two mischievous and rambunctious little girls. She is originally from Hamilton, Ohio but calls home where ever the Air Force sends her. She currently resides in Anchorage, Alaska where she finds endless inspiration in the pure Alaskan wilderness. When she isn't writing, she spends her time with her family in the vast Alaskan outdoors, plucking away at her old guitar or working on self-improvement in the gym. She loves the outdoors, the moon, old movies and music.

CAPTIVATED BY YOUR LOVE (Blue Hearts Series Book TwoSYNOPSIS:Sheâs fire and heâs Ice, both demanding and both used to getting their way. Put them together and there is one hell of a storm. Two souls drawn together by an unexplainable force, their chemistry is off the charts it sizzles. Some say what they do best is fight, but they know what they do best isnât in the fight, but the makeup sex that comes after.Jealousy and impulsive decisions find Abbee now answering to Mrs. Blue. Can the newlyweds find a way to tame themselves and each other long enough to truly allow love to flourish? Or will a jealous ex and pride be too much to handle? Will they be able to stop fighting with each other long enough to fight for each other? Follow along as Abbee Burkhart and Justice Blue find out why everyone says love is worth fighting for.

The sun streamed into my bedroom through my window and it felt like it was beating down on my nose and bronzing my skin. I would never get used to the Vegas heat. But this morning it felt so much hotter than just the sun. It was like the thermostat was turned up to 100 degrees. I was roasting hot but in a good way. I felt a thin sheen of sweat layered on the back of my neck and across my upper brow. Then I suddenly realized it was because I wasnât alone. So not alone.

The thing is I didnât remember being out with my boyfriend Jensen last night so I should be

alone. At least one would think. Keeping my eyes screwed shut, I tried to take in my surroundings. The room smelled of sex. Dirty, just like I liked it. But, again, my memory of Jensen from last night just didnâtexist.

I didnât want to open my eyes for the fear in my belly of what I might find. Oddly, I felt a

presence in my front and at my back. Which was a little alarming. Then it hit me. The air rushed out of me and my breathing grew unsteady. Fuck. Fuckity fuck fuck. The memories flooded my head like a typhoon. Shit. What had I done? I was a bad girl and knew exactly what I had done. Although it was very wrong of me to cheat on Jensen, I couldnât deny that I didnât like it. Guilt overcame me and my lips turned down into a frown. Damn, I couldnât be trusted.

It was time to quit playing hide-and-seek with myself. I needed to open my eyes and face what would lay ahead of me. It wouldnât be a surprise that I would like what I would find. Memories of hot bodies and sweat clad skin sliding against each other filled my mind. I had never had a threesome before. Until last night, that is. I had always wanted to, it was actually written in bold red ink on my bucket list along with a million other wild and crazy things I wanted to do before I died. Guess I can check that one off. I felt a shift to my front and I slowly, ever so slightly, cracked one eye open and got a glimpse and then closed it quickly again. Justice. A smile begged to peek out while my brain screamed at me.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Putting on a brave face and fighting with the butterflies in my stomach, I opened the same eye again and then the other. What I found staring back at me were beautiful blue eyes the color of the clearest ocean or blue sky. He had the goofiest lopsided smile on his face. He took his hand and tenderly rubbed it along my jaw and then brought his lips to mine. I pulled away from him and shook my head with a big fat no. First, I had morning breath. Second, no matter what we did last night, I still had a boyfriend and I could no longer blame anything on the massive amounts of alcohol in my system. He backed off immediately and his lips turned down. I knew I had upset him but I couldnât worry about that right now. I had to get out of there, out from under his spectacular gaze. Jenson hadnât done anything to deserve this from me. Guilt racked my chest and it was all I could do to not look Justice in the eyes.

Then I felt hands slip around me from behind and they landed on my waist. Out of nowhere a deep growl rumbled from Justiceâs chest and I looked at those blue eyes to see fury marred his face. My stomach dipped again because although I was an independent chick, I kinda liked the idea of someone being possessive over me. I really liked it a lot. I thought it was sexy as hell when a man was that crazy about his woman. I knew from being around him and what Damien and Sydney said that Justice was pure raw Alpha male. He was one of a kind. Bossy, just like I liked.

He shook his head slightly and took a deep breath in, and just like that, his eyes returned to the sexy lust filled depths they had been just moments before.

Then he spoke. âGood morning, Abbee.â His voice was deep and rich and I felt it all the way

down in my southern regions; my pussy grew a little wet and my nipples started to get hard. I also felt something very hard and oh so familiar poking my belly. Damn, I didnât remember it being so big last night. But it was big. It felt delicious so close to me. What I wouldnât give to get on him right now and ride him reverse cowgirl. Now that would be fucking hot. Last night was fun. He fucked me six ways from Sunday while I sucked off his brother. I got a little hand action from Reeve at one point too; man do those hands know how to work it. Those boys definitely inherited the big dick gene because neither were lacking. Not that I was taking measurements. Gah, who am I kidding, I was so doing an inspection of the

male variety.

âSeriously, the name is Bee. That is what I go by; please try to use it.â My tone was clipped and my eyes narrowed. The only people who called me Abbee were my parents and even that irritated me. I liked Bee. He cocked an eyebrow at me and I just stared at him, trying to punctuate my point. You didnât mess with Bee Berkhart. Not in the slightest.

I felt the hands that were around my waist loosen a little bit and then felt a kiss being placed

behind my ear. I shivered from head to toe and the hair on my body stood up. It was soft and very sweet. Then there was that damn growl again and this time I had to laugh. He did sound sexy as hell when he growled and I couldnât help but love it.

âYou two are cracking me up. Justice, you need to chill the hell out. Reeve, enough of the kisses.â He just looked at me, trying to soften his features, but I saw the look in his eyes. It was a look of possession. Like he wanted to own me. And there was the tiniest little part of me that wanted to be owned by him. That is if I didnât have a boyfriend. Fuck, fuck, shit, shit. I was the worldâs worst girlfriend and clearly wasnât as committed as I thought.

âBut, baby, you are mine,â he said to me and then gave me a lopsided smile.

I had to laugh, like full on belly laugh. âSorry, but first of all I have a boyfriend. Hate to break it to you boys and second, Iâm not anyoneâs. Iâm my own person.â I wanted to remove their hands from me but it just felt so damn good being in our little sexual cocoon. I was lying to myself and them by saying I had a boyfriend. I wasnât being true to him, not in the slightest, and I was enjoying the compromising position I was in. I was seriously going to hell.

âLast night when I had my cock deep inside of you, you said you were mine.â Damn it. Why did he have to remember that? Donât you drink alcohol for a reason? I remember those damn shots going down so easily and all the cocktails we consumed. I was lucky I wasnât bent over the toilet this morning.

âThe hell she did Justice. I think you were hearing her say that she was mine. Come by the

hospital and Iâll check your ears for a blockage.â I had to laugh again. If anyone could see us and hear this conversation they would think they just stepped into an HBO comedy special.

âThe hell she didnât. You didnât even have sex with her so I donât know what you are even talking about.â Damn men, they were so clearly confused. Or were they? I think Reeve was just trying to get a rise out of Justice which was pretty great. I loved seeing him get his boxers in a twist.

âDude, youâre the one that didnât have sex with her. She and I did the deed all night long.â Justice growled again and then pushed Reeveâs hands away from me.

Justice wasnât really wild about the idea of including Reeve, but it did happen. Thank goodness the alcohol had loosened him up because right now he was being a bear to deal with. I know Iâm supposed to be moving in with Jenson but last night I flirted my ass off with both Justice and Reeve. And it ended better than I could have hoped for. With both brothers naked in my bed.

Justice was just so sexy and irresistible. It was the way he walked and carried himself with

Jensen and feel like he wasnât even listening to anything I had to say. It totally pissed me off but I swept it under the carpet trying not to acknowledge the obvious.

Reeve was a bit more uppity for me. I worked in the hospital so I was familiar with how some of the doctorâs would treat us nurses. Now I hadnât worked with Reeve. He actually had a reputation of being one of the nice doctorâs but he just wasnât my taste. At least for more than a single sex filled night. I preferred more of the blue collared kind of guy and Justice was pure, raw, male, blue collar. I wish we had gotten out his cuffs and played last night. Now that would have been something else to check off my bucket list. The things I could do with this man were endless. Gah. What was I saying? I was in a relationship and supposed to be happy. But was I really happy? I had to ask myself that. If I allowed myself to have sex with another man, not just one, but two, was I really satisfied with the man I was with?

The answer was no. I was just happy with the idea of having someone in my life. Damien and

Sydney had one another and I saw how their faces would light up when one of them got home from work or just sometimes it was the simple silence of them snuggling on the couch. I wanted that kind of special for myself. But who was I fooling? Jensen wasnât that guy. The bad part about it is that I had already agreed to move in with him. When I gave someone my word I always followed through with it. So like it or not, despite my curiosity and slight feelings for Justice, I would be spending my time with Jensen. My stomach sank at the thought. I had signed up for a life that I didnât know I could live, especially after spending a night with Justice. He treated me like I wanted to be treated and we just clicked. Like really

clicked. We got along really well.

âWhat the fuck, dude? Not cool.â Reeve slid his hands back around my belly again and Justice removed them again.

âSeriously, you two need to knock it the hell off. It was fun, it was. But Iâm not with anyone other than my boyfriend. Yes, that may make me sound like the biggest ho in the world and like a total tramp but last night was just fun.â I looked at Justice and then looked over at my shoulder at Reeve. I took a deep breath. âThe thing is I didnât tell either of you that I was yours. So you two need to get over it.â I was telling baldfaced lies to these men and I prayed that they didnât see right through me. I had told Justice I was his. And in so many ways, even if I had only spent one night with him, I did want to be his.

âGet over it?â Justiceâs eyes blazed with heat. He looked over my shoulder at Reeve. âReeve, you know I donât share. Last night was a rare one-time thing for me. Abbee is mine. So you better back the hell off.â Damn he was going all Alpha male on me.

I had had enough. I untangled myself from both of them and sat up. âOkay, boys, I think this little slumber party is over.â My room was in shambles. My bedding was all over the place and I was sure if I looked over the side of the bed I would see condom wrappers. And not just one. My body heated from the thought. What an amazing night. One that I would never forget.

âIt wouldnât be over if Justice shared. You know, Justice, you never shared even as a child. What the hell is wrong with you?â Great, now the brothers were going to end up in a fight over me in my bedroom. Shit, in my bedroom. What was Sydney going to say? I knew Damien would more than likely pat his brothers on the back and give them a high five but Sydney couldnât know about thisââ or could she? She would probably beg me to leave Jensen and go for Justice. Which wasnât a bad idea. Gah, what was I thinking, it was a horrible idea. I had already planned to live with Jensen. That would be my life. But there was something that kept on pulling me, like an unexplainable force, to Justice. Last night when we were at the bar I felt like he really paid attention to me and got me. He was very interested in what I had to say and treated me with kindness and respect. Sometimes I have to question whether Jensen respects me. He can flat out be mean when he wants to be.

I brought myself back to the situation and listened to them bickering at one another. I could see this going into a full on fight with them rolling on the ground wrestling and blood being spilled. Fuck my life. I had sure made a big mess out of things. The numbers on my clock glowed bright. 8:30. It was earlyâ¦but not so early I could sneak the guys out. I placed my hands on my temples squeezing my eyes shut and rubbing them gently. I really needed to figure out a way to get the hell out of this situation.

âFucker, I do share just not my women.â Justice growled again.

âFor the last time, Justice, Iâm not your woman.â It was my turn to growl back. I was getting

pissed. I wasnât being a firecracker, I was a fucking stick of dynamite and I felt my face start to heat. When I got mad you better watch out. I would say I had a semi short fuse when it came to bullshit before I would just lose my shit on you. Sydney and I had gotten into it a few times over stupid nonsense but in the end we loved one another like sisters. Jensen hadnât seen that side of me yet. I felt like I could never truly show the person I was to him. I usually always walked a fine line between what I wanted to be and what I needed to be. It was tough.

I heard my phone go off beside my bed on the night stand. It was the familiar beep I had set

especially for when Jensen would text. Fuck. Fuck. Shit.

âUm, Justice, sunshine, could you please hand me my phone?â He rolled over and reached for my phone handing it to me and then he sat up. I unlocked the screen with a manicured finger and read the message from Jenson. My stomach dropped and I felt light headed yet drowning in guilt.

Jensen: Hey baby missed you last night. Iâll be over to pick you up in twenty minutes we are going out to breakfast.

Fuck.

Shit.

Fuck.

What the hell was I going to do? Not only was I butt naked in my bed with two guys that were fighting, but Sydney and Damien would surely see them leave and then Jensen come over. They would think our house had turned into a brothel. With deft fingers I typed out a reply.

Me: This morning isnât good for me. Iâm actually not feeling very well.

That would buy me some time. I would get them out of the house and then maybe I wouldnât see Jensen until tonight when I could wash the smell of sex from my body and paint on a different face. And that was what I was doing when I was with him. I wore a mask to try and be the perfect girlfriend. The girlfriend that I knew he wanted.

My phone chimed again.

âFor the love of God could someone just make this nightmare stop.â I looked at the text again. Yup, wasnât getting out of this situation very easily.

Jensen: Be there in twenty better get your ass up and ready. You can be sick later.

He really wasnât the nicest guy. I felt my stomach drop. How did I ever end up with him? The

thing was I knew there were better guys out there. The way Justice treated me was a good example of that. Reeve had been so sweet and gentle as well. It was obvious they were raised right. I had met their parents and they were good people. Sydney spoke highly of them. I knew in my heart I should be with someone more like them.

I felt a presence over my shoulder and then I heard a growl again.

âHeâs coming over here now?â Justice asked.

âDamn you. Quit reading my texts will you? Nosey.â I shoved him with an elbow into his gut and I felt a whisper of breath hit my back. I had packed a little mustard into it.

I climbed off the bed and went around to Reeveâs side. He was still lying down just staring at

nothing; probably looking at the ceiling, if I had to guess. His eyes met mine and he smiled. I looked down at myself and realized why. I wasnât wearing a stitch of clothing. I was butt naked standing before Reeve while he assessed me.

I wasnât shy about my body. Unlike most women who were modest and self-conscious, I loved my body. Justice and Reeve had been over so much to hang out at the house that I was used to them so there was a comfort there. But he didnât have to gawk at me. I didnât have time to worry about him looking at me like he wanted to devour me. I needed to get his ass up and out.

Rolling my eyes at him, I reached down, took his hand in mine and used all my strength to get him up. I wasnât exactly big so I had to put all my muscles into it. âAlright, Reeve, time to get up and get out. Up you go.â But when I pulled on him he pulled harder, causing me to fall on top of him. My breasts hit his face and I felt him bite my nipple. I quickly jumped off of him but his hand lingered. I slapped it away.

âStop, now up you go.â But I wonât lie, that little nipple bite made my pussy tingle a little and my nipples grow hard.

âOh alright. I need to get to the hospital anyway.â Great, one down, one to go. Now I know it

wonât be this easy to get Justice out of here. I had a feeling I was in for the fight of my life.

I quickly made it to the other side of the bed and grabbed Justice by the hand, but when I pulled he did the same thingââ he pulled me down on top of him. Our faces were mere inches apart and my eyes flickered up to his, holding his gaze. I gasped. Being so close to him set my body on fire. I felt it deep in my belly. This man could be my complete and utter undoing. There were so many things I wanted to say. I wanted to tell him to stay and that I wanted to get to know him better. I wanted him to continue to be possessive with me. But most of all I wanted to slip under the covers with him and have my wicked way with him without Reeve. He had been amazing last night and I wanted to experience that again. But I

couldnât. I was now in the biggest pickle of my life. I was post threesome with two naked men in my bedroom and my boyfriend was going to be here in less than twenty minutes.

I quickly broke eye contact with him. I looked over my shoulder to see Reeve was just slipping on his shirt and already had on his jeans. I thanked God. I turned back to Justice. âAlright you need to get your ass up and leave,â I said rather sternly. If I was going to have any luck I needed to give it to him straight and stay firm.

He just looked at me and then kissed me tenderly on the tip of my nose. I inhaled deeply and felt shivers course down my spine. What he did to me. He was like my own personal aphrodisiac. I was heady with his scent and feeling him all around me as our bodies pressed into one another. I looked to the clock and knew I had to get my shit together. I quickly rolled off of him and this time I grabbed him by the leg.

âJustice, Iâm serious, you need to get the hell up.â This time he rolled over and sat up on the edge of the bed. He just sat there staring at me.

âQuit looking at me like that.â Damn the way he was looking at me made my entire body spasm.

âHow exactly am I looking at you, Abbee?â He smiled at me, still not removing his eyes from

me. It was like he was seeing inside my soul. Like he knew that I really didnât want him to leave. It was like he had all of the answers to all of my problems, even the ones I didnât know I had.

âItâs Bee and you need to get up and get dressed like your brother is. Please and thank you.â I left him sitting there and walked over to my dresser and got a pair of panties out, and then leaned down and pulled open a drawer to get a pair of shorts out. But when I leaned down I felt him at my back his warm cock pressing firmly against me. It took everything in my power not to throw him back down on the bed. I tore myself away from him and went and stood on the other side of the room.

âThis, you and me.â I pointed to him. âItâs over. It was one night full of fun. Now it is time for

you to leave.â I huffed out an exasperated breath.

âIâm not leaving. Reeve, suit yourself.â

Reeve walked to me, gave me a hug, and kissed me on the cheek.

âThanks, Bee, Iâll see you soon.â He opened the door and exited and I prayed he would go

unnoticed by my roommates. I would have a lot of explaining to do. Oh, who was I fooling? The more I thought about it the more I couldnât wait to tell Sydney. She was going to die, but in a good way. I admired Reeve in the way he was a nice guy and followed my instructions. This is the way things were supposed to go down and apparently he had gotten the memo, but Justice was another story. I took my hands and placed them on my hips and gave him a glare.

âJustice, you have 2.5 seconds to get your ass dressed and out of my room or Iâm going to go get Damien and have him remove you.â That was totally an empty threat. I wasnât going to go get Damien. Plus with the way Justice was built, all fine lines and hard muscles, he could clearly take Damien. He had the perfect body. One that I wanted to lick all over.

He just smirked at me. Fucker. âIâll get dressed but Iâm not going anywhere. I told you, you are mine. When your boyfriend gets here Iâm telling him to get lost.â

I huffed out a breath again. I could feel my face heat up as I clenched my fingers into my palms and rolled my head around. I was tight. âJustice, get your shit on and get out.â

âWhy the hell are you acting all bitchy to me?â He bent over and grabbed his shirt. Thank God he was finally getting the message.

âIâm not. I just canât have you here when Jensen gets here.â Damn, I was running out of time and was really going to be cutting this one close. âAnd Iâm not a bitch.â

âThen quit acting like one.â He bent down, picking up his jeans and shimmied them up his legs.

I walked over to my dresser and grabbed a shirt out and threw it on over myself, sans bra. At this rate I was doing good just to get clothes on before Jensen got here. Granted, I smelled like sex. I grabbed a bottle of perfume of my dresser and spritzed myself with it hoping it would help, but all I felt was hopeless at the moment. âFuck my life, I smell like sex, Justice.â

âYou smell perfect, like me.â He walked over and sniffed me. The thing is, I kinda liked his smell on my body. I sniffed one last time and deeply inhaled his scent.

Looking over my shoulder, I noticed Justice went back to getting ready and was slipping on his shoes. I wanted to do a happy dance I was so excited. Hopefully I would get myself out of this sticky-ass situation. He stood up from the bed and walked over to me he slipped his arms around me and brought his mouth to mine. I didnât stop him this time. Despite my morning breath I kissed him back. I didnât know if this would be the last time I had the opportunity and I didnât want to regret it for the rest of my life.

He fisted his hand in my hair and I grabbed him behind his neck, holding on to him for dear life while he deepened our kiss. It was sweet, wet and full of so much emotion. I didnât want to let him go. I wanted to stay wrapped up in his arms and brave Jensen together. I wanted to tell Jensen that I wasnât his and that I was Justiceâs like I had clearly told him last night. I wanted to be his. To be owned and possessed by him. But I couldnât.

I was getting so lost in our kiss and thoughts of a life with Justice that I didnât hear the door crack open.

When I was seventeen, I disappeared. I walked out the door of my apartment with a backpack and never looked back. I left the life of Cora Mitchell behind, seeking freedom from my real-life nightmare. But my freedom came with a cost. I lived a fictitious life for the next six years, never letting anyone close enough to see underneath the facade that was Andra Walker. I was content with my simple little life. Until I met Julian. And the moment I started allowing myself to open up, allowing someone to see through the superficial, was the very same moment the Monster from my past would return to find me.

He Saved Me:

Julian

I’ve come to understand that I’ll always find her. She’s my north star, my sense of direction. In her, I’ve found my home. She tells me I saved her. But the truth is, she saved me.

I'm used to disappearing. Vanishing into thin air, without a trace of who I've been or where I've gone.

But it’s so much harder to do with a broken heart and no hope for a happy ending. Sometimes the only people who can put all the pieces of us back together are the ones we least expect to. That's what Julian did for me.

Julian found me. But now, all Six wants is to keep me locked up, away from the world, away from the Monster. I can't live like that. It's not living at all. Because I still have unfinished business.

Stan Remington is the go-to man; what he doesn’t know about Onslow means one of two things: it doesn’t exist or it hasn’t happened yet.

The wild and annoying doctor’s daughter spends her summer family holidays at Remington’s Caravan Park, and normally she’s not Stan’s problem. But then she sabotages his planned weekend escape. Now Stan finds himself not only caretaking the caravan park on his own, but also responsible for Bel.

Just the two of them. Under the one roof. For one long, long weekend.

MAX

Melanie Sheehan didn’t set out to be a liar, but her last lie landed her in big trouble. Now Mel must suffer a harsh consequence – she’s not allowed out of her father’s sight.

Max, the new head barman at the Onslow Hotel, is the one boy Mel has been crushing on since forever. At a time when Mel plans to go on the straight and narrow, she is about to tell the biggest lie of all. Will Max be able to handle the fiery farm girl or should he be considered the last boy in Onslow to trust?

RINGER

Ringo ‘Ringer’ James has a no-strings-attached policy.

Love them, leave them, and remain the eternal bachelor.

After a summer in which every one of his mates has succumbed to settling down, or so it seemed, Ringer is on the lookout for a quick exit. Having had enough of the stomach-turning love fest witnessed over the past three months, Ringer jumps at the opportunity to help out his mate, Max, by heading to Max’s dad’s property for a working holiday.

It’s just what he’s looking for. A remote, dusty homestead in Ballan, with only hard work, a cold beer and a comfy bed to worry about – no women.

Until Miranda Henry.

The privately educated daughter of his boss has returned home from overseas and things are about to get very complicated, very fast.

C.J Duggan is a number one internationally bestselling Australian author of seven independent titles of her popular New Adult Summer series. In addition to her chart-topping indie novels, C.J is set to publish two titles with Hachette, Australia with her brand-new Paradise Series in 2015 (Paradise City and Paradise Road).

C.J lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. When she isn't writing books about swoony boys and 90s pop culture you will find her renovating her hundred-year-old Victorian homestead or annoying her local travel agent for a quote to escape the chaos.

When Kat was forced to leave the only home she had ever known due to her brother's secrets, she wasn't prepared for what was waiting for her in Tennessee or the choices it would force her to make.

Kat instantly knew she didn't like Blake Reagan. He was cocky, stubborn, and infuriating. What Kat didn't understand was why she couldn't stop thinking about him or the way he made her feel.

The last thing Blake expected was for Kat Archer to storm into his world and turn it upside down. He thought he had her pegged from the beginning, but she destroyed everything he thought he knew. Blake was willing to fight to push his way into Kat's heart, but she put up a wall at every turn as she clung to her past.

If she stayed, she'd risk the only family she had left. If she left, she'd lose Blake and every piece of her heart that he'd managed to steal.

We are very excited for this brand new standalone from Kendall Ryan.

Releasing on September 15 we get a peek at a sexy romantic comedy from the NYT Bestselling author.

I have one rule: Donât shit where you eat.

Several of the women in the condo complex I own would love some one-on-one playtime, and why wouldnât they? Iâm young, fit, attractive, and loaded. Not to mention Iâm packing a sizable bulge below the belt. Itâs a combination that drops panties on a regular basis.

Yay, me, right?

But my cock, troublemaker that he is, has been confined to my trousers by my business partner. A concession I agreed to, and one thatâs never been hard to enforce until Emery moves in across the hall. Sheâs smart, young, determined, and sexy as hell. I want a taste. I wonât stop until Iâm buried deep inside the succulent new-in-town brunette.

After being warned about my past, she does her best to steer clear, but Iâm about to show her that underneath it all, Iâm a guy with a heart of gold and a cock of steel.

My eyes swing over to admire the most perfect pear-shaped ass Iâve ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on while my business partner Hudson continues lecturing me. I think itâs something important, but thereâs nothing more urgent than my bodyâs reaction to this shapely brunette. Jesus. Those tits are definitely real.

âWell itâs on lock down then. No more of this bullshit. I had three calls this week alone from hysterical women â our tenants â who you, how do I put this delicately? You fucked and then left before their pussies were even dry.â

I smirk at him, but I canât deny the accusation. Weâre like the real life Melrose Place. Sexy young twenty-somethings all living in close proximity. Thereâs bound to be a little drama now and again. Together, Hudson and I own thirty buildings in the greater Los Angeles area. And some of our buildings have very fuckable tenants. Up until this point, Iâd considered that a nice bonus, and a perk of the job. Hudson has apparently viewed it differently.

âWhoâs that?â I ask, tipping my head toward the bombshell whoâs responsible for all the blood rushing to my groin. Fuck. I should have a word with her about that, thatâs not cool.

Hudsonâs eyes swing to the left to see what, or rather, who has captured my attention. And whoâs given me this semi-chub, which I hope he hasnât noticed. Weâre close, but weâre not that close.

âNo, no, no. Donât get any ideas. Youâre not tagging that.â

Sheâs not close enough to overhear us, but I shoot him a scowl anyway. âShow some class, man. Tagging is such a juvenile word. Iâd take my time, get her hot and ready first, until she was begging for me to fill her tight, little cunt.â

âIâm fucking serious. Youâre not to even think about her tight cunt.â

âSo you acknowledge sheâs got a tight cunt?â I smile, proud of myself.

He wipes sweat from his brow, looking worried. âHayden, Iâm serious this time.â His voice has taken on a somber tone, and for once, I try to be serious and focus.

Watching the way the vein throbs in his neck, my smile fades. Weâre standing outside of one of our nicest buildings just outside of downtown, and the mid-afternoon sun is beating down on us. Suddenly I want to get away from him, and away from this entire conversation and into the cool air conditioning inside. Shit has gotten a little too real for me.

âYou know me,â I grin at him, trying to lighten the mood. âI just wanted to have some casual fun.â And if that meant sleeping my way through the LA singles scene, so be it. Iâm not looking for something deeper. I have a luxury condo in the heart of the Hollywood Hills, drive a new model BMW and possess a nine-inch cock. Translation: Life is good. Or it was, until Hudson decided to get a bug up his ass and lay down the law today.

âDid you hear a word I just said? One of your latest conquests threatened to report our company to the Better Business Bureau for unethical business practices. This isnât just about you. This affects me too. And Iâll be damned if I watch everything weâve built go down in flames because you canât keep your dick in your pants.â

âPoint taken.â Hudson is pretty much the best friend, and best business partner you could ask for. Heâs smart as hell, dedicated, works like a dog day and night. And not to mention when we began our real estate investment company five years ago, he single-handedly fronted all the start-up capital from his own savings and trust fund. It took me years to pay him back as the profits rolled in, and he never once made me feel lesser, or like I was in debt to him. Not to mention, heâs funny, well-off, and good looking. Heâs an excellent wing-man. Plus he knows the best taco joints.

Unable to help myself, my eyes drift over to her again. 4B fills out a pair of yoga pants in ways that I doubt are even legal in most countries. I needed to know what was underneath those curve-hugging black athletic pants. Simple cotton panties, or a naughty g-string? Either way, I wanted to bury my fingers inside the waistband of those pants, peel them down her hips and find out. Perhaps it was because Hudson just made her forbidden fruit, but I wanted a taste. My damn mouth was practically watering.

She looked smart, and put together, despite her casual attire, including a tank top and tennis shoes. With a clipboard in one hand, and her trusty number two pencil in the other, she ticked items off of her list, and instructed the movers who were unloading and carrying boxes up to her new place â which just so happened to be directly underneath mine.

âYouâre not going to last three minutes let alone three days.â Hudson grimaces, glancing over again at our newest resident.

âWhat do you know about her?â

He rolls his eyes, but humors me. âEmery Elaine Winters. Sheâs an attorney. Excellent references. Even better credit score, and she signed a one year lease. And sheâs to remain in pristine condition, or so help me God â¦â

When I glance up at her again, I see Roxy, another of our residents has joined Emery on the sidewalk, and they appear to be making small talk. Shaking hands, exchanging words, and smiling at each other. Thereâs something I strongly dislike about these two women talking. Roxy is an exotic dancer, and she I have a bit of a rocky past. Which is a huge fucking understatement, but not something I care to dwell on now. Hudson mentions something about fourth quarter taxes, and I tune him out, sure I just heard my name on Roxyâs over-glossed lips.

âExcuse me, Iâve got business to attend to.â I step around him, heading straight toward my new prize. Roxy spots me, and takes off for the parking area.

I can control myself around her. I have to, according to Hudson. I donât like being told what to do, especially where my cock was concerned, and hell, itâll probably only make me want her more, but as I close the distance between Emery and me, I make a plan.

Friends.

I would become friends with the so-hot-I-wanted-to-bend-her-over-and-fuck-her-in-broad-daylight new girl.

This was either the best plan Iâd ever had, or would end with me sporting a black eye, courtesy of my best friend.

Itâs go time.

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance novels, including Hard to Love, Unravel Me, Resisting Her and When I Break.

She's a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss. She lives in Minneapolis with her adorable husband and two baby sons, and enjoys hiking, being active, and reading.

If Grace Johnson knew one thing at all, it was that all men were dirtbags.

All men â¦ except Noah Bennet.

âI was lost in his eyes. Lost in his tears. My goal was to pull him out of the darkness â¦ even if it dragged me in as well.â

If Noah Bennet knew one thing at all, it was he needed Grace Johnson.

Needed her â¦ desperately.

âMy pain was pulling me under â¦ she was my only saving grace.â

Grace is willing to put everything on the line to help bring back the man she is hopelessly in love with. Even if it costs her the future sheâs been longing for.

âIf finding you means losing a part of me â¦ Iâll do it.âADD TO GOODREADS

*Subject to change before publishing* Unedited version*

Chapter One ~ Grace

I sat in the library as I rolled my neck around and let out a sigh. My mind had been pre occupied and I couldnât afford to not be focused. Iâd fallen behind in my classes when Lauren got sick.

Glancing back down at my book, I tried to read the words on the pages but my mind quickly drifted off to a memory of Noah and me.

***

Sitting back, I let the sun warm my face as Noah rowed the canoe.

âSo are you going to just sit there while I do all the work, Grace?â Noah asked in a teasing voice.

âYep,â I said with a smile.

Keeping my eyes closed, I could tell he had turned directions. Trying not to smile, I asked, âAre you getting tired, Noah? Was last night to much for you?â

Noah chuckled. It was the first night Iâd stayed over at his apartment he shared with one other guy who also attended A&M. I wasnât sure why I was keeping how close Noah and I were getting away from everyone. Maybe it was my way of keeping this relationship distant from my real world. That or I didnât feel like answering Alex, Lauren, and Libbyâs constant questions.

Whatever my reasons were, I pushed it from my mind.

âBaby, you could never be to much.â

Opening my eyes, I tilted my head and gave Noah a sexy smile. As hard as I tried to keep from falling in love with him, I fell deeper every moment we spent together.

âIs that a challenge?â I asked as I leaned forward, making sure to squeeze my arms together so my breasts showed just the right amount of cleavage since I only had a tank top over my swimsuit.

Lifting his eyebrows, Noah glanced over to the shore. When I looked over my shoulder, there was a small path. Noah paddled us over and jumped out. Reaching his hand out for mine, I placed it softly in his. The rush I got just from his touch about caused me to let out a moan. Stepping up onto the shore, I watched as Noah pulled the canoe up and grabbed my hand.

Leading me down the path, he pushed me against a tree and smiled at me.

âThat is indeed a challenge. Letâs see if you can keep up with me now, Grace.â

My heart dropped to my stomach as I fought back those three words.

Lifting me up, Noah pushed his hard dick into me as I gasped. Desire pulled in my lower stomach and I was ready for anything Noah was going to give me.

Smiling, I stood and gathered up my books. Turning to head out of the library, I came face to face with Doug Richards.

âHey, Grace.â

My eyes traveled over his body as I suppressed the moan I wanted to let out. Damn he was fine as hell and it had been to long since Iâd had sex. My mind had been filled with memories of Noah and I was horny as hell.

Noah.

Pushing all thoughts of Noah away, I smiled as I quickly gave my lower lip a seductive bite and purred, âHey, Doug.â

Dougâs eyes lit up. Iâd always been friendly with Doug, but this was the first time Iâd ever put a little bit of something more into my normal Oh hey Doug howâs it going.

Seeing Noah at the hospital with his new wife only proved to me that I needed to move on. I couldnât shake the way Noah had looked at me though. I swear I saw the same look in his eye as I saw the first night he made love to me. Actually, the first time he ever looked at me I saw the passion.

âPlans for tonight?â Doug asked as he ran his fingers lightly up and down my arm. My body shook with the idea of being with someone. I needed a good hard fuck to pull me out of this funk. What would one mindless one-night stand do?

It would at least ease the throb between my legs. Iâd gone through to many vibrators. I was ready for the real thing.

Licking my lips, I winked. âI believe youâre picking me up around eight? Taking me to dinner and then a little bit of â¦ dessert afterwards.â

The smile that spread across Dougâs face caused me to smile. âI like that plan.â

My eyes roomed his body as they landed on his lips. Hopefully he was a good kisser. He had big shoes to fill.

Reaching into my purse, I took out a pen and grabbed Dougâs arm as I wrote down my address. âSee ya at eight handsome.â

The second I turned to walk away I wanted to spin around and tell him to forget it. That I forgot I had plans with a friend. Worry my lip, I continued to walk toward the exit door.

No, Grace. Itâs time to move on. What I needed was one evening of pure fun and Doug was the one who was going to provide it. Noah was married and I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself. What we had shared was amazing and I let it spoke me. I pushed away the only man Iâd ever truly loved.

It was time to move on.

Tonight I was getting laid.

***

âWhat do you mean you have a date?â Alex asked with a stunned look on her face.

I took a bit of my taco and shrugged my shoulders. âYou know, Alex. That thing you do when youâre single and havenât had normal sex in I donât know how long. Even my vibrator wants me out of the house.â

Shrugging my shoulders, I said, âHey, youâre getting dick every night. I wonder if I should get a Brazilian wax?â

Laughing, Alex shook her head. âThat was random as hell.â

âI just got to thinking, I think I want my hoo-ha to smooth for tonight.â

Alex started choking on her taco. âWhat? Grace, you canât do that today and then have sex tonight?â

Pulling my head back in a shocked expression, I asked, âWhy not?â

âHave you ever had anything waxed on your body before?â

Tilting my head, I thought about it. âNope, I canât say that I have.â

Leaning in toward the table, Alex motioned for me to come closer. âGrace, it hurts like hell to get waxed for the first time. I donât think you want your hoo-ha to be tortured before you dive back into the whole sex thing again. I mean I get the whole, I just want mindless sex thing, but do you really want to mistreat her like that all in one day?â

About to state my case, I heard someone clear her throat. Alex and I both turned to see a mom staring at us with her daughter sitting there with her mouth dropped to the table. Smiling, I said, âIâm not going to have mindless sex tonight â¦ well actually I am but I always use protection andâ¦ ouch!â I called out as I felt a stabbing pain in my shin from where Alex kicked me. Turning back to her, I yelled, âWhat the hell, Alex?â

Alex eyes were widened as she shook her head. âGrace, stop talking.â

The mother stood and motioned for her daughter to follow as Alex sat back and moaned, âGreat, some mother Iâm going to be.â

Letting out a laugh, I shook my head and said, âYouâre going to be a kick ass mother. Just like Ellie. Hey, so we never really got to talk about how your parents and Willâs parents reacted to the big baby news.â

Alex, shrugged her shoulders. âI think they were all in shock. My father biggest worry was school. Iâm so glad weâre all graduating this December.â

Taking a bite of my taco, I nodded my head. âYeah, Iâm glad too.â After swallowing the taco, I worried my bottom lip. I had been trying to figure out how to ask Alex if she had changed her mind about our plans.

Alex reached across the table and took my hand in her hand. âThe baby doesnât change anything, Grace. I want to still follow our dream of opening up Wild Flower. Weâve been dreaming of opening a flower nursery for years. Nothing is going to change that.â

I instantly felt my body relax. Our whole focus throughout school had been to open a nursery between Fredericksburg and Mason. The news of Alex having a baby had scared the piss out of me. Smiling, I said, âIâm not going to lie, I thought I might be doing this on my own and I was scared as hell.â

Letting out a chuckle, Alex shook her head. âNo way. Will and I have already talked about it. I fully intend on pursuing our dream, Grace.â Shrugging her shoulders, she said, âBesides, we will own the place! I can bring the baby. She learn to dig in the dirt probably before she learns to walk.â

Sitting up straighter, I let out a gasp. âOh my gosh! We can build a little baby nursery besides your office. I mean, Iâm sure yâall will have more kids in the future. I bet my dad or your dad could easily add that into the design. Move that storage space somewhere else.â

Alexâs eyes lit up as she nodded her head. âGrace, thatâs a great idea! This will be perfect for both of us.â

Narrowing my eyes, I let out a confused chuckle. âHow is a baby room perfect for me?â

Giving me a sly smile, Alex said, âFor when you have kids.â

Nearly choking on my tea, I held up my hands. âWhoa! Whoa! Holy hell woman! Donât even speak such words. This girl has no plans for kids in the near future. Fuck, Iâm not even having sex and the last time I checked â¦ you canât get knocked up from a vibrator.â

Alex looked around as she put her finger up to her lips. âWhy do you have to talk so loud?â

âWhy do you have to say such things? My God! There is already something in the water with you and Libby both getting pregnant. Iâm sure Lauren is probably going to be announcing something in the next few months. Well â¦ no thank you. Iâm not having kids any time soon.â

Alexâs eyes looked sad. âGrace, do you not want kids?â

My heart instantly hurt as I plastered on a fake smile. âSomeday Iâm sure Iâll want kids. Right now it is the furthest thing from my mind. All I want right now, Alex, is to move on and have a good time.â

âGrace, I talked to Noah the day Lauren got out of the hospital. He desperately needs to talk to you.â

Swallowing hard, I fought to hold back my tears. âW-what did he say?â

Shaking her head, Alex said, âHe asked how Lauren was and then for your number. I gave it to him. He said he needed to talk to you.â

Feeling my entire body start shaking, I quickly stood up. âWhy would you give him my phone number, Alex? Heâs married for Christâs sake! Besides, itâs been over two weeks since Lauren left the hospital. He must not be that desperate to talk to me. Damn it, Alex. Why did you give him my number?â

Alex motioned for me to sit down. âGrace, just give me one second to explain.â

Grabbing my food and drink, I glared at Alex. âI have to go, I have to head home and grab a book a forgot and head to class.â

âGrace! Let me finish talking!â Alex called out.

Racing to the door, I pushed it open and quickly dragged in the fresh air. Glancing at my watch, I sighed. I was going to be late for class now. Quickly making my way to my car, my phone buzzed. Pulling it out of my purse, I saw it was Alex.

Alex: I didnât mean to upset you. Itâs just he seemed desperate. You really need to talk to him, Grace.

Rolling my eyes, I threw my purse and phone onto the passenger seat and headed back to the house I shared with Alex and Will. Now that Luke, Libby, Lauren, and Colt had moved out it seemed cold and empty all the time. Even when they did live there, I spent more time at Noahâs place than I did at home. Well, at least I did until I freaked out and pushed him away.

Wiping my tears away, I concentrated on thinking about nothing but my date tonight with Doug. Iâll deal with Alex later. Right now I needed to push Noah Bennet far from my memory. I needed to move on and this date tonight was long over due.

Copyright Kelly Elliott 2015

Kelly Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

Sheâs also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, youâll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

After years of hard work and determination, I am exactly where I want to be in life. As the top ranked Freestyle Motocross rider in the world, I have more money than I could ever dream of spending and gorgeous women throwing themselves at me in every city I land. I have everything I could ever want.

Everything except her.

While in Breckenridge for my best friendâs wedding, I was introduced to Dakota Shavell, a friend of the bride-to-be, and from the moment our blue gazes met, sparks flew.

What I initially intended to be a single steamy night together turned into a scorching two week road trip to New Orleans with a sassy-mouthed blonde. Being between her legs gave me a bigger adrenaline rush than Iâd ever gotten from flying through the air while straddling a bike.

It was supposed to just be fun, a good time. I planned to walk away unchanged.

But it was more. Feelings I never intended to have got involved, and Iâll never be the same.

Yet, I still walked away.

Except now Iâm injured and my outlook has changed. Priorities have become clear.

And Iâm going back to reclaim herâ¦to show her that together we can make the fire between us burst into flames.

***Though Flame is the second book in the Fire on the Mountain Series, it is an interconnected stand alone novel***

Erin Noelle is a Texas native, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters. While earning her degree in History at the University of Houston, she rediscovered her love for reading that was first instilled by her grandmother when she was a young child.

A lover of happily-ever-afters, both historical and current, Erin is an avid reader of all romance novels.

Her titles published include the Book Boyfriend Series, the Dusk âTil Dawn Series, Translucent, Conspire â co-authored with SE Hall, Surviving Us, MILF: Wrong Kind of Love and Spark.

Her books have been a part of the USA Today Bestselling list and the Amazon and Barnes & Noble overall Top 100.

It's release day for Carian Cole's Lukas! Be sure to grab your copy and to check out al the fantastic release day fun!!

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My Favorite Things

Lukas Synopsis: Storm’s younger cousin. Vandal’s little brother. You’ve met him in the background. The sweet one. The nice one. The one they can all rely on. The good one. He’s a tattoo artist. He plays metal and classical music - on the violin. He’s got a body built for sin. He’s 24. In comes Ivy. She’s a 36 year old single mom who hasn’t dated in 18 years. All she wanted was a tattoo. She got a helluva lot more :) Being good has never been so bad. Amazon| Banes and Noble | KoboVandal, book 2 in ASHES AND EMBERSAmazon | Barnes and NobleStorm, book 1 in ASHES AND EMBERSAmazon | Barnes and NobleExclusive Excerpt: He leans his head down closer to mine. “You looking at me like that, and saying my name like that, just makes me want to kiss you even more.” I swallow hard, unable to tear my eyes away from his. “You really shouldn’t be saying things like that,” I breathe, my voice quivering. He’s got my nerves in overdrive. Hell, who am I kidding? He’s got my entire mind and body in overdrive right now. He moves his hand to cup the side of my face. “Close your eyes, Ivy. Let’s make our wishes at the same time.” Lukas is a wizard, and I’ve quickly fallen under his spell. My eyes flutter closed, and his lips touch mine, so softly that we are barely touching at all, but it’s enough to make me see even more shooting stars, this time behind closed eyes, in that place where magic happens. His kiss is completely unexpected but way too perfect to break away from. I drop my bag to the ground and bring my hands up to rest on his shoulders. He kisses me a little harder, his tongue gently touching my lips, silently asking permission for more. Parting my lips, I let him kiss me deeper, his tongue slowly meeting mine, caressing in enticing circles. The feel of his tongue piercing and lip ring is so strange to me, yet incredibly erotic. I think I like it. His hand goes to my hip, pulling my body possessively but gently against him, as his kisses grow more passionate and urgent. My legs begin to shake with timid desire, my hands squeezing his muscled shoulders, hanging on to him in this sudden dizzying realm he’s led me into. Did a first kiss ever feel like this before? Has any kiss ever felt like this before? No. Not for me. Not ever. He oozes skilled sensuality; every touch, every breath, every kiss is measured in perfect timing and depth. This is not an awkward, clumsy, rushed and horny boy touching me for kicks. Not by a long shot. He’s savoring everything. And I don’t want him to stop. Grasping my waist with both hands, he effortlessly lifts me up onto the hood of my car, bringing me closer to eye level with him. He moves between my parted legs, guides my thighs around his jean-clad hips, and covers my mouth with his again, kissing me long, deep, and tantalizingly slow as he gently holds my face in his hands. It’s the kind of kiss that brands complete want and ownership. He leaves no doubt that he wants me. The logical part of me is telling me to stop him, but the lonely, aching part of me takes over, and I slide my hands up his chest and over his shoulders to clasp behind his neck. My fingers tangle in his long silky hair, and I love how new and different it feels. Everything about him is so different, like tasting an exotic food for the first time that quickly leads to crazy indulgence. That magnetic pull I felt the first time I laid eyes on him is a force to be reckoned with right now. It’s controlling me, taking over every part of me, squashing my fears and reservations, and paving a very clear path that leads directly to this man. I cannot even begin to understand or make the tiniest bit of sense of this attraction. But it’s there, and it’s stronger than anything I’ve ever felt in my life. Suddenly, he stops kissing me, his lips just a whisper away from mine, and stares into my eyes for a few moments, before letting his dark eyes slowly close as he pulls me closer against his body, his hard cock pressing against me through our clothes, sending a hot surge of raw desire through me. What I glimpsed in his eyes shook me even more than his kiss. All feelings that carry the ability to give immense pleasure and pain. Neither of which I am ready for. I slowly try to pull myself away from him, but he holds me close against him. “Wow,” I say breathlessly, leaning my head against his shoulder. “Come upstairs with me, and let’s see if we can upgrade that to a holy shit,” he whispers, his hand resting on the back of my neck, gently squeezing. Carian Cole Bio:I have a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles and of course, the sweet girls that try to tame them and win their hearts. My debut series, Ashes & Embers, follows the lives of rock band members as they find, and sometimes lose, the loves of their lives. My first novel in the Ashes & Embers series, Storm, published on September of 2014. Vandal, the second novel in this series is publishing in February of 2015. I currently have approximately nine books slated for this series, as well as an MC series in the works, and a few stand-alones coming in 2015 onward. Born and raised a Jersey girl, I now reside in beautiful New Hampshire with my husband and our multitude of furry pets and spend most of my time writing, reading, and vacuuming. Facebook | Website | Amazon Author Page | Pinterest | Goodreads | Twitter | TSUEnter Carian’ giveaway!!a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLURBEdie had spent her whole life planning her future, imagining her husband, her kids, and even which minivan she’d drive. Lucky for her, she didn’t have to wait long, marrying her high school sweetheart right after graduation.All of Edie’s dreams had come true, until they were no longer her dreams. Unable to deal with the lingering depression caused by having children, she left her whole life behind, walking away from the one thing she'd always wanted.Donovan Leery loved his wife with everything he had and could never imagine life without her. Until he came home from work one day and found a letter from Edie, explaining she needed a break. Not only leaving him to live his life without her, but alone to raise their three small children.But what happens when Edie is ready to come home? When she’s ready to fight for it all back? She knew it wouldn’t be easy. But she didn’t care. After spending years getting her life back together, she was ready to fight for her family. And a fight is what Donovan would give her.She'd fight to make up for her Biggest Mistake. BUY LINKS Amazon US :http://amzn.to/1GQO1GzAmazon UK :http://amzn.to/1VGJvpuAmazon CA :http://amzn.to/1eqs8aCNook :http://bit.ly/1LLJGuTKobo :http://bit.ly/1JHizg8TEASERS

EXCERPT

He slapped his palm against the door behind my head, interrupting me and causing me to flinch. He boxed me in with the door to my back and his solid form in front. His forearm was so close to my face I could feel the heat radiating off it. My already clenched heart grew even tighter in my chest and I had a hard time breathing, as if the world had lost its supply of oxygen and I had to fight in order to find some. I’d never seen Donnie like this before and it both scared and saddened me.“No…you don’t know, Edie. You don’t know a damn thing. I thought maybe you’d be gone a day and then come back. That didn’t happen and so I thought maybe a week. After a week, you’d surely come to your senses and be ready to come home. A week came and went and you were still gone. You were still not answering my calls, my messages, or my emails. So, okay…a month. A month is a really long break, but who knows, maybe you just really needed it. “The kids asked about you every single day for that month. Every. Fucking. Day. I tried like hell to spare them from knowing you had abandoned them because the last thing I wanted was for you to come home and have them look at you differently. Yeah…I’m that fucking pathetic that after you ran away, I still tried to spare your feelings. Shortly after a month, they’d go a day or two without talking about you or asking where you were. I’d lie in bed at night and realize they hadn’t mentioned you, and it broke my heart. But do you know the moment in time when my heart stopped beating? When it ceased to beat in my chest? When my life went from falling apart to being completely obliterated?” he asked through tight lips that only grew tighter with each following question.I shook my head, unable to answer. I didn’t want to hear it, the truth. I had asked him to talk, but I hadn’t been prepared for what he’d say. I wasn’t ready to hear about the pain and anguish I had inflicted upon the people I loved more than anything. But I’d asked for it, so the only thing I could do was stand there and bear it. “Mikey was at the kitchen table coloring while I was making dinner. This was somewhere between month one and month two. Livvy was helping me, watching the water to let me know when it started to boil. Mikey brought over his piece of paper with random marks of green crayon and held it out to me. He was so proud of it.” Donnie’s voice had grown quiet yet remained hard as he retold a story I was sure I didn’t want to hear. “As always, I asked him what it was, preparing to give him my usual praise about how amazing it was and how I had a little artist on my hands. He pointed to a particular line and said, ‘me’ and then pointed to another one and said ‘mama.’ I hesitated for a moment since I hadn’t expected that—his usual art at the time had been unrecognizable doggies and trucks. Nothing more than scribbles of crayon that he believed to be something else. In the time I hesitated, Livvy decided to tell him that his mama was gone. She told him that his mama didn’t love him anymore because she left and wasn’t coming back. She was two and a half, Edie! Two years old, telling her little brother that their mother didn’t love them anymore!”I gave in and succumbed to the grief that his words inflicted. Without moving, I allowed my tears to run free, to flow without a fight. I couldn’t help the feeling of complete inadequacy that filled me and poured out of me with every tear that made its way down my face.“So now that I’ve talked to you, is there anything you want to say? Because once I turn around and walk away from you, there won’t be any more talking.”

ABOUT THE AUTHORLeddy Harper had to use her imagination often as a child. She grew up the only girl in a house full of boys. At the age of fourteen, she decided to use that imagination and wrote her first book, and never stopped. She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.She is now a mother of three girls, leaving her husband as the only man in a house full of females. The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. And to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.Goodreads / Facebook